The Divine Comedy, Part 2: Purgatory (Penguin Classics) (v. 2) (Paperback)

by Dante Alighieri (Author), Dorothy L. Sayers (Translator, Introduction), C. W. Scott-Giles (Artist, Contributor) "THE STORY. Dante and Virgil, emerging from Hell, find themselves on the shore of the Island of Purgatory at the Antipodes..." (more)
Key Phrases: aery body, fourth cornice, love perverted, Earthly Paradise, Blessed Virgin, Hugh Capet (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Beginning with Dante's liberation from Hell, Purgatory relates his ascent, accompanied by Virgil, of the Mount of Purgatory a mountain of nine levels, formed from rock forced upwards when God threw Satan into depths of the earth. As he travels through the first seven levels, Dante observes the sinners who are waiting for their release into Paradise, and through these encounters he is himself transformed into a stronger and better man. For it is only when he has learned from each of these levels that he can ascend to the gateway to Heaven: the Garden of Eden. The second part of one of the greatest epic poems, Purgatory is an enthralling Christian allegory of sin, redemption and ultimate enlightenment.

About the Author
Dante Alighieri was born in Florence in 1265 and belonged to a noble but impoverished family. He was married when he was around twenty to Gemma Donati and had four children. He met Beatrice, who was to be his muse, in 1274, and when she died in 1290 he sought distraction in philosophy and theology, and wrote La Vita Nuova. He worked on the Divine Comedy from 1308 until near the time of his death in Ravenna in 1321. Dorothy L. Sayers wrote novels, poetry, and translated Dante for the Penguin Classics. She died in 1957. Barbara Reynolds was Lecturer in Italian at Cambridge University and subsequently Reader in Italian Studies at Nottingham, and Honorary Reader at Warwick. She has written books, both on Italian authors and on Dorothy L. Sayers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (August 30, 1955)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140440461
• ISBN-13: 978-0140440461
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #142,824 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant Guide, April 11, 2004

By	Ian Dall (Padborg, Padborg Denmark) - See all my reviews

A warning: this is by now an rather old translation, and theres always more to explore in Dante. That being said, it has many insights newer translations lack, and its a brilliant example of a period - if you want to understand how the understanding of Dante has developed, this is a must.
Oh, and by the way, if one can read of the Earthly Paradise and not be moved, one is cheating oneself (as I found out, fortunately). Purgatory is just as much worth the effort as its two Higher and Lower brothers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific spiritual classic, February 26, 2008

By	William G. Kussmaul (Media, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After seeing Dante referred to by so many Christian authors over the years, I finally decided I'd better read this "timeless spiritual classic." I was expecting a dry, dull slog.
Fortunately, I consulted a friend who is a Classicist. I told him I wanted to read Dante for spiritual value, not just as great literature (I'm no poetry expert, nor do I speak a word of Italian). He recommended Dorothy Sayer's translation.
Wow. Reading Dante during Lent is one long, detailed examination of conscience! It is great, and Sayers' explanations and commentaries are terrific: erudite, informative, drily witty, and full of spiritual insight.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DOROTHY L. SAYERS' GENIUS GLOWS IN HER TRANSLATION OF THE COMMEDIA, August 10, 2006

By	C. Scanlon "least helpful reviewer" (among us humans) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This project was her dying effort after a lifetime of great achievements in scholarship and literature. She again proves her genius here with Dante, as in her translation of the Inferno, making an intelligent translation into her contemporary and scholarly English. Incredible achievement for a woman, the first to graduate from Oxford, who wrote treatises in THeology as well as the wonderful Lord Whimsey detective series.